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HB 317

Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Charniele Herring and 1 co-sponsor

HB 317 establishes criminal penalties for damaging or trespassing on Virginia's public services and utility infrastructure to protect essential systems from sabotage and unauthorized access.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 105 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 317

Legislative bill overview

HB 317 establishes or modifies criminal penalties for damaging or trespassing on public services and utility infrastructure in Virginia. The bill clarifies what constitutes illegal interference with essential public systems and sets corresponding punishment levels for violations.

Why is this important

Public utilities and services—including water systems, power grids, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure—are critical to public safety and economic function. Clear legal protections and enforceable penalties deter sabotage, vandalism, and unauthorized access that could disrupt essential services or endanger communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty severity: Disagreement over whether proposed penalties are proportionate to the offense or constitute overreach for minor trespassing incidents
  • Definition scope: Unclear boundaries about what qualifies as "public services or utilities" could lead to overly broad enforcement or prosecutorial discretion
  • Private utility coordination: Ambiguity about whether penalties apply equally to privately-operated utilities serving the public, creating potential enforcement inconsistencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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